Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Josh Ryan Britton

Josh Ryan Britton, 63, passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Josh was born November 2, 1959, outside of Pierre, South Dakota, to GW and Patricia (Poseley) Britton. In the mid-1960s the family moved to Whitewood, South Dakota.

Josh graduated from Sturgis Brown High School in 1978. After graduation he continued doing what he loved and that was to work.

He was known to be able to fix anything and would help anyone. He first got his start fixing things as a child, becoming known as a "wizard of lawnmowers" in Whitewood.

He grew up chasing adrenaline, gaining a love for dirt bikes, motorcycles and vehicles of all types. Josh spent a short time in Alaska where he lied about his age to work on a fishing boat and in a crab processing plant.

He would often tell the story of that being the best crab he ever had in his entire life. After Alaska, he spent his time on the Crago Ranch working as a ranch hand and cowboy, Josh always had a love for horses and cowboying.

After ranching, he started over the road trucking, mainly hauling sheep. After his time trucking, he finally found his true calling as a logger. Josh always had a love for the outdoors, he really cared for the beauty of the Black Hills and how the forest was managed.

Josh's only son, Walker Britton, was born on October 14, 1995. He would often say "I've done a lot in life but my proudest achievement I ever did was my boy."

One of the only things Josh asked for from his son was grandchildren, he got that wish on March 30, 2022, when his beautiful granddaughter was welcomed into this world. The first time Josh met his granddaughter he said, "I knew it! She looks just like me!"

Josh loved his family and would do anything for them, including all of his friends that he loved just the same as family.

Josh is survived by his son, Walker (Ariel Lewis) Britton; granddaughter, Ember Britton; sister, Becky (Ralph) Crago; brother, Kelly (Kandy) Britton; sister, Tracy (Rick) Zwingleberg; and brother, Patrick (Anne) Britton.

He was preceded in death by his father, GW Britton and his mother, Patricia Hamilton.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, December 10, 2022 at the I-Bar, 600 Whitewood Service Rd. in Whitewood from 2:30-5:30 p.m.

Friends and family may sign his online guestbook at blackhillsfuneralhome.com.